THEATRICAL ENTERPRISE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9130, 1 July 1908, Page 6

THEATRICAL ENTERPRISE.

A NEW COMBINATION. "The new combination has not been formed in opposition to any particular theatrical company, but with the object of causing keener competition, which will necessarily result in the theatrical public receiving the best possible in the way of new attractions," remarked Mr Alec. Vepie, representative of the Olarke-Wren-Meynell and Gunn Company to a Wairarapa Age reporter in the course of a conversation yesterday. "The members of this new venture are Sir Rupert Clarke (Australia's only barone};), Mr John Wren (one of the most prominent sporting men in Australia), Mr Clyde Meynell and Mr John Gunn. The success that has attended us has been beyond our anticipations. We find that the theatrical public in Australasia have been educated up to such a stage now ( that nothing but the best will do, and though we have been put to considerable expense in bringing out the 'new importations' the business we have been doing has thoroughly warranted it. The firm have taken a long lease of the Theatre Royal in Melbourne, and also the Criterion Theatre in Sydney. Among the principal companies which we now have is the Comic Opera Company, which opened in Melbourne Jwith "Miss Hook of Holland." This piece ran for twelve weeks, and has now given way to "The Belle of Mayfair." After their Melbourne season the Company go on to Sydney. Another new attraction is the famous Mallinson's, who will shortly tour Australia and New Zealand. Mr Mallinson is the well-known English song composer, and his wife, Madame,. Anna Steinhauer, is the noted Danish soprano. They will appear in Masterton about August 28th. Then there is the Harcourt BeattyMadge Mcintosh Company,which will play in Masterton shortly. Miss Madge Mslntosh is the leading lady of the Cumpany. She arrived in Australia in September last, and has made herself a warm favourite. Her Cfcmielle and Fedora have been highly spoken of by critica in Australia. Mr Harcourt Beatty, of course, is well-known to Masterton audiences, as is Mr Gaston Mervale, who produces the plays. Another Company which will visit Masterton in the near future is "The Little Breadwinner Company," headed by Miss Beatrice Holloway and Mr Conway Wingfield. The Company is at present in Queensland. The Comic Opera Company now playing in Melbourne will return to that city from Sydney at Christmas, and stage a pantomime there, which will afterwards be produced throughout New Zealand. Mr Clyde Meynell is at present in England with the object of securing further new attractions, and he does riot intend to spare any expense in this connection."